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Alexander Skula edited this page Jan 4, 2026 · 2 revisions

wBlock

Welcome to wBlock! This simple application empowers you to take control of your web browsing experience by blocking unwanted content in Safari. wBlock utilizes powerful filter lists to block ads, trackers, and other annoyances, making your online time cleaner, faster, and more private.

Getting Started

  1. Enable Safari Extensions: wBlock relies on Safari extensions to function. Upon first launch, you may be prompted to enable the necessary extensions in Safari settings. Follow the on-screen instructions or:
    • macOS: Go to Safari → Settings → Extensions.
    • iOS/visionOS: Go to Settings → Safari → Extensions.
    • Ensure all wBlock extensions are enabled and have "All Websites" permission. For private browsing, also enable "Allowed in Private Browsing".
  2. Explore Filter Lists: Browse through the categorized list of filters in the main app window.
  3. Enable Filters: Toggle the switch next to each filter list to enable it.
  4. Apply Changes: Tap the "Apply" button in the toolbar to compile and activate your selected filter lists. This step is required after enabling or disabling filters.
  5. Customize: Experiment with different filter lists based on your needs and preferences. You can enable regional lists for language-specific websites or annoyance lists to further clean up your browsing experience.
  6. Import Custom Lists (Optional): If you have specific filter lists you'd like to use, tap the "+" button in the toolbar and enter the URL of the filter list file.

Auto-Update

wBlock includes automatic filter updates to keep your blocking rules current:

  • Enable Auto-Update: Toggle on "Auto-Update Filters" in the Settings section.
  • Set Interval: Choose how often filters should update (1 hour to 7 days).
  • How It Works: Updates run automatically when you open the app or browse with Safari. If you see "Waiting for activity", this simply means the app is ready to update on your next interaction—this is normal iOS/macOS behavior, not an error.

Tips for Best Performance

  • Keep Extensions Enabled: Ensure that the wBlock Safari extensions remain enabled in Safari settings for continuous content blocking.
  • Apply After Changes: Remember to tap "Apply" after modifying your filter selection for changes to take effect.
  • Avoid Conflicting Blockers: Using multiple content blockers simultaneously might lead to conflicts or unexpected behavior. For optimal performance, it's best to rely primarily on wBlock.
  • Disable on Specific Sites: If a website doesn't work correctly, you can disable wBlock for that site using the toolbar menu in Safari, or add it to the disabled sites list in Settings.

Troubleshooting

  • Ads still showing? Make sure you've tapped "Apply" after enabling filters, and that all wBlock extensions are enabled in Safari settings.
  • Website broken? Try disabling wBlock for that specific site. Some sites detect ad blockers and may not function properly.
  • Filters not updating? Auto-updates require app or Safari activity to trigger. Open the app or browse in Safari to initiate an update.

Support & Feedback

If you have questions, feedback, or need support, please visit the GitHub repository for discussions, bug reports, and more resources.

Enjoy a cleaner, faster, and more private web with wBlock!

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